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Soriano thinks fast start key in 2013

3/21/13: Alfonso Soriano launches a solo homer over the left-field wall, trimming the deficit to 3-2 in the top of the fourth inning

By Carrie Muskat
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MLB.com |

MESA, Ariz. -- Last season, the Cubs opened with an 8-15 record. Alfonso Soriano doesn't want to see that again this year.

"Last year, the Washington Nationals had a good April, so everybody was talking about that team," Soriano said of the Nationals, who began the 2012 season 14-4. "I think if we have a good April, it will send a message to the other teams. I hope we have a better April than last year. I think we can do that because we have a better team this year."

Soriano, though, got off to a slow start himself and didn't hit his first home run until May 15.

"I hope this year it'll be a little different," he said. "If we want to be a contender, we have to have a good April."

One thing that would help the Cubs, Soriano said, is more night games at home. Currently, the Cubs play 30 games under the lights at Wrigley Field.

"It should be the opposite -- 30 day games and 51 games at night," Soriano said.